ORGAN PEALS OUT TO DROWN PROTESTANTS

Chronicle (Levin), 8 January 1947, Page 6

ORGAN PEALS OUT TO DROWN PROTESTANTS

EB'I""' LOKDOX'. Loud cliords i'roin tlie oi'gaii drovvuod protests by four men in lurn at High Mass in ,St. John tlie Baplist Churcli, Bath. Tlie men were escorted out by sidesmaii, still protesting. First hint of trouble came when' Ihe new Bishop of Bath and Weils, JJr. H. W. Bradiield, said at tlie eudof his sermoii : "Before comiag liero I reeeivod by telephone information that an organised attexnpt would be made to break, up our act of worsliip. "This follows my refusal to cancel my visit or to attempt to make the vicar, tlie Kev. Beruard Gooper, cliauge the form of the service. "Any congregation in tliiS diocese, of whatever churchmanship or tlieological outlook, will have the fullest possible protection of my pastoral office in the face of any tlireat of that kind. ' ' Asked to Leave. Before lie could leave the putpit, Mr. P. W. Pelter, of Yeovil, goveruiug director of the National Union of Proteslants, eried: "My Lord Bishop, I beg leave to ask a question. "I came liere on tlie assurauee of the vicar that the service would be an ordinary service of the Holy Comuiuuiou in accordauce with the Prayer Book. " Tlie organ booined out, two sidesmen asked him to leave — and he left. A few minutes later Mr. Edgar Tozer, of Bristol, shaldng a tiuger towards ihe altar, declared: 1 1 aiu here to protest against Jthe celebratiou of tlie Mass as being contrary to the will of God and to tlie Prayer Book." "Give us auother Lutlier, " he sliouU ed as lie was escorted out. Then Mr. Willis, also of Bristol exclaimed: "I wisli to associate myself with tliis protest." Tlie organ pealed again and he, too, was escorted to tlie floor. ,